an extinct New England grouse (Tympanuchus cupido cupido)
heath hen in American English
noun
1.
an American gallinaceous bird, Tympanuchus cupido cupido, closely related to the prairie chicken: extinct
2.
the female of the black grouse
Word origin
[1585–95]This word is first recorded in the period 1585–95. Other words that entered Englishat around the same time include: aberration, filament, naturalize, puzzle, scuff